Water Stewardship Act

To enact and revise provisions of law relating to water supply and water conservation; to state legislative findings; to amend Chapter 5 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to water resources, so as to require the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, including its Environmental Protection Division, the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Georgia Department of Community Health, including its Division of Public Health, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission to examine their practices, programs, policies, rules, and regulations in order to develop programs and incentives for voluntary water conservation and to make regular reports of measurable progress to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and General Assembly; to require the establishment of best management practices by public water systems; to change provisions relating to state and local watering restrictions; to provide for the classification and continuation or discontinuation of certain farm use water withdrawal permits; to provide for measuring and separate charging of water to units in certain new construction; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to buildings in general, so as to require high-efficiency toilets, shower heads, and faucets; to require high-efficiency cooling towers; to create the Joint Committee on Water Supply; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

The General Assembly recognizes the imminent need to create a culture of water conservation in the State of Georgia. The General Assembly also recognizes the imminent need to plan for water supply enhancement during future extreme drought conditions and other water emergencies. In order to achieve these goals, the General Assembly directs the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to coordinate with its Environmental Protection Division, the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Georgia Department of Community Health, including its Division of Public Health, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission to work together as appropriate to develop programs for water conservation and water supply.

Chapter 5 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to water resources, is amended by inserting in lieu of reserved Code Section 12-5-4 a new Code Section 12-5-4 to read as follows:

(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'agency' or 'agencies' means the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, including its Environmental Protection Division, the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Georgia Department of Community Health, including its Division of Public Health, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission individually or collectively as the text requires.

(b) On or before August 1, 2010, the agencies shall examine their practices, programs, policies, rules, and regulations to identify opportunities to provide enhanced programming and incentives for voluntary water conservation. The agencies shall, without limitation, identify and provide for rules, regulations, incentives, or opportunities to:

(1) Include water conservation measures in the comprehensive plans submitted to the Department of Community Affairs by local governments;

(2) Provide technical assistance to local governments and public water systems for water loss abatement activities;

(3) Support state-wide water campaigns and public outreach programs, such as Conserve Georgia and WaterFirst programs;

(4) Encourage residential and commercial retrofits for water efficient fixtures and equipment;

(5) Encourage residential and commercial retrofits for water efficient landscaping irrigation systems;

(6) Encourage the installation of landscapes in commercial and residential settings utilizing landscape best management practices that include soil preparation, plant selection, and water use efficiency;

(7) Encourage the use of rain water and gray water, where appropriate, in lieu of potable water;

(8) Encourage the installation of submeters on existing nonsubmetered multifamily complexes and multiunit commercial and industrial complexes;

(9) Encourage public water systems to develop and improve water loss abatement programs;

(10) Encourage public water systems to implement the industry's best management practices for controlling water loss and achieve the recommended standards;

(11) Provide incentives for residential and commercial water conservation pricing by public water systems;

(12) Provide incentives for public water systems to use full cost accounting;

(13) Encourage voluntary inclusion of water conservation guidelines in applications for new ground-water withdrawal permits and surface-water withdrawal permits; and

(14) Examine the effect that water conservation has on water rates and consider policies to mitigate the financial impact that rate increases or reductions in water use have on water utilities and water users.

(c) On or before August 1, 2010, the agencies shall examine their practices, programs, policies, rules, and regulations to identify opportunities to enhance the state's water supply. The agencies shall, without limitation, identify opportunities to:

(1) Obtain funding; and

(2) Conduct feasibility studies on reservoir dredging and water management measures that could enhance water supply when funding is available.

(d) Each agency shall coordinate with the Department of Natural Resources to:

(1) Establish administrative programs and procedures to encourage water conservation and to enhance the state's water supply consistent with the results of the reviews required under subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section;

(2) Submit an interim report of the reviews required under subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House on or before July 1, 2010, which shall include, at a minimum, the programmatic changes and proposed changes being implemented to encourage water conservation and to enhance the state's water supply;

(3) Submit a final report of the review required under subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section to the General Assembly by August 1, 2010, which report shall include at a minimum an outline and narrative summary of the rules, regulations, and policies that have been adopted to encourage water conservation and to enhance the state's water supply; and

(4) Submit a report to the General Assembly on or before January 1 of 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 including an outline and narrative summary of the the programmatic changes encouraging water conservation and to enhance the state's water supply that were implemented during the immediately preceding calendar year, outlining the agency's goals for the next calendar year, and identifying the rules, regulations, and policies that were adopted to support those programmatic changes."

Said chapter is further amended by adding a new Code Section 12-5-4.1, to read as follows:

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) 'Division' means the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources.

(2) 'Public water system' means a system for the provision to the public of piped water for human consumption, if such system regularly serves at least 3,300 individuals. Such term includes but is not limited to any collection, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities under the control of the operator of such system and used primarily in connection with such system and any collection or pretreatment storage facilities not under such control which are used primarily in connection with such system.

(b) The Board of Natural Resources shall by January 1, 2011, adopt rules for the minimum standards and best practices for monitoring and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of water use by public water systems to improve water conservation. The best practices program shall include without limitation:

(1) The establishment of an infrastructure leakage index;

(2) The establishment of categories of public water systems based on geographical size and service population;

(3) A phased-in approach requiring public water systems to conduct standardized annual water loss audits according to the International Water Association water audit method/standard and to submit those audits to the division;

(4) A phased-in approach requiring public water systems to implement water loss detection programs; and

(5) The development of a technical assistance program to provide guidance to public water systems for water loss detection programs, to include without limitation metering techniques, utilization of portable and permanent water loss detection devices, and funding when available.

By January 1, 2012, public water systems serving at least 10,000 individuals shall have conducted a water loss audit pursuant to the minimum standards and best practices adopted by the Board of Natural Resources. By January 1, 2013, all other public water systems shall have conducted a water loss audit pursuant to the minimum standards and best practices adopted by the Board of Natural Resources. Audit results shall be submitted to the division within 60 days of completion and shall be posted on the division's website in a timely manner after receipt by the division."

Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 12-5-7, relating to local variances from state restrictions on outdoor watering, as follows:

(a)(1) Any political subdivision of this state or local government authority may, upon application to and approval by the director of the Environmental Protection Division of the department for good cause shown, impose more stringent restrictions on outdoor water use during nondrought periods or state declared periods of drought than those applicable restrictions, if any, imposed by the state during such periods. For purposes of this subsection, 'good cause' means evidence sufficient to support a reasonable conclusion, considering available relevant information, that such additional restrictions are necessary and appropriate to avoid or relieve a local water shortage. A variance granted pursuant to this subsection shall be valid for such period as determined by the director.

(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not prohibit a political subdivision or local government authority from imposing more stringent restrictions on outdoor water use in case of an emergency which immediately threatens the public health, safety, or welfare; provided, however, that such emergency restrictions shall be valid for a period not exceeding seven days unless a variance is granted by the director pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection. If the director determines that a political subdivision or local government authority is exercising emergency powers granted by this paragraph in a manner to circumvent the necessity of obtaining such a variance, he or she may suspend the emergency powers granted by this paragraph to such political subdivision or local government authority.

(3) In the event that a political subdivision of this state or local government authority is unable to satisfy reduced water consumption or other permit requirements under its water withdrawal or operating permit due to its inability under this subsection to impose more stringent restrictions on outdoor water use during periods of drought than those applicable restrictions, if any, imposed by the state, such political subdivision or local government authority shall be exempt from fines, sanctions, or other penalties applicable for such failure upon the approval of the director of the Environmental Protection Division of the department. The director shall consider all measures implemented by such political subdivision or local government authority prior to issuing fines, sanctions, or other penalties applicable, if any, for such failure. The political subdivision or local government authority shall notify the director of the Environmental Protection Division of the department within ten business days following the discovery of such failure. The director may request additional information at any time to substantiate such a claim.

(4) The director of the Environmental Protection Division may revoke, suspend, or modify, upon not less than three days' written notice, a political subdivision's or local government authority's water withdrawal or waste treatment permit issued pursuant to this chapter consistent with the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this state for violation of paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection or any variance granted pursuant thereto.

(a.1)(1) Persons may irrigate outdoors daily for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants only between the hours of 4 P.M. and 10:00 A.M.

(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not create any limitation upon the following outdoor water uses:

(A) Commercial agricultural operations as defined in Code Section 1-3-3;

(B) Capture and reuse of cooling system condensate or storm water in compliance with applicable local ordinances and state guidelines;

(C) Reuse of gray water in compliance with Code Section 31-3-5.2 and applicable local board of health regulations adopted pursuant thereto;

(D) Use of reclaimed waste water by a designated user from a system permitted by the Environmental Protection Division of the department to provide reclaimed waste water;

(E) Irrigation of personal food gardens;

(F) Irrigation of new and replanted plant, seed, or turf in landscapes, golf courses, or sports turf fields during installation and for a period of 30 days immediately following the date of installation;

(G) Drip irrigation or irrigation using soaker hoses;

(H) Handwatering with a hose with automatic cutoff or handheld container;

(I) Use of water withdrawn from private water wells or surface water by an owner or operator of property if such well or surface water is on said property;

(J) Irrigation of horticultural crops held for sale, resale, or installation;

(K) Irrigation of athletic fields, golf courses, or public turf grass recreational areas;

(L) Installation, maintenance, or calibration of irrigation systems; or

(3) Governing authorities of counties and municipalities shall adopt the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection by ordinance, to become effective not later than January 1, 2011, and violations of such adopted provisions shall be punished as ordinance violations.

(b) Any political subdivision of this state or local government authority may apply for and, upon approval by the director of the Environmental Protection Division of the department for good cause shown, shall be granted an exemption from nonstatutory outdoor watering restrictions or water use reductions imposed by the state. For purposes of this subsection, 'good cause' means evidence sufficient to support a reasonable conclusion, considering available relevant information, that such restrictions, reductions, or both are not necessary and appropriate to avoid or relieve a local water shortage. A variance granted pursuant to this subsection shall be valid for such period as determined by the director.

(c) The director shall render a decision on an application made by a political subdivision or local government authority under subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section within five business days after receipt thereof.

(d) This Code section shall stand repealed and reserved on July 1, 2010.

(d)(1) Any permittee who is aggrieved or adversely affected by any order or action of the director of the Environmental Protection Division pursuant to this Code section shall have a right to a hearing pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 12-2-2.

(2) Notwithstanding the stay provisions of subparagraph (c)(2)(B) of Code Section 12-2-2, the filing of a petition for a hearing before an administrative law judge from an action taken pursuant to this Code section stays the order of the director of the Environmental Protection Division for not more than five days and such stay shall automatically be lifted without further action by the director if the petition has not been ruled upon by the end of the fifth day following filing of the petition; provided, however, that the petitioner's right to a hearing remains in full force and effect."

Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 12-5-31, relating to permits for withdrawal, diversion, or impoundment of surface waters, by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"(p) In addition to the other provisions of this Code section, there shall be established three categories of farm use surface water withdrawal permits: active, inactive, and unused. The rules and regulations implementing this subsection shall provide without limitation for the following:

(1) An active farm use surface water withdrawal permit means one that has been acted upon and used for allowable purposes;

(2) An inactive farm use surface water withdrawal permit means one where the permit holder has requested inactive status in order to retain ownership of the permit for possible future use or reuse. Inactive permits shall be retained by the permit holder without modification;

(3) An unused farm use surface water withdrawal permit means one that has never been used for allowable purposes. Unused permits expire after two years unless changed to active or inactive status by notification to the director. Unused permits shall not be transferred or assigned to subsequent owners of the lands as provided in paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of this Code section;

(4) An inactive farm use surface water withdrawal permit shall be reclassified to an active permit when the permit holder has given the director 60 days' written notice and paid any applicable fees in accordance with paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of this Code section; and

(5) The director shall, via certified mail, return receipt requested, contact, or cause to be contacted, any person who holds a permit that the director has determined is unused. The notification shall include the permit identification and information regarding the classifications and procedures for changing classifications. The permit holder shall have 120 days to respond after which the director shall issue a second notice via certified mail, return receipt requested. Two years after the date on which the director first notified the permit holder via certified mail, return receipt requested, of the unused status determination of the permit, the director shall revoke the permit if the permit holder has not requested that the unused permit be reclassified as inactive or active."

Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 12-5-105, relating to permits for use of ground waters, by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"(d) In addition to the other provisions of this Code section, there shall be established three categories of farm use ground-water withdrawal permits: active, inactive, and unused. The rules and regulations implementing this subsection shall provide without limitation for the following:

(1) An active farm use ground-water withdrawal permit means one that has been acted upon and used for allowable purposes;

(2) An inactive farm use ground-water withdrawal permit means one where the permit holder has requested inactive status in order to retain ownership of the permit for possible future use or reuse. Inactive permits shall be retained by the permit holder without modification;

(3) An unused farm use ground-water withdrawal permit means one that has never been used for allowable purposes. Unused permits expire after two years unless changed to active or inactive status by notification to the director. Unused permits shall not be transferred or assigned to subsequent owners of the lands as provided in paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this Code section:

(4) An inactive farm use ground-water withdrawal permit shall be reclassified to active when the permit holder has given the director 60 days' written notice and paid any applicable fees in accordance with subsection (a) of this Code section;

Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 12-5-180.1, relating to allocating water and waste-water usage among tenants and charging tenants for usage, as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this Code section, the The owner or operator of a building containing residential units may install equipment or use an economic allocation methodology to determine the quantity of water that is provided to the tenants and used in the common areas of such a building; and the owner of such a building may charge tenants separately for water and waste-water service based on usage as determined through the use of such equipment or allocation methodology.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this Code section, the The owner or operator of a building containing residential units may charge tenants separately for water and waste-water service, provided that the total amount of the charges to the tenants of such a building shall not exceed the total charges paid by the owner or operator for water and waste-water service for such building plus a reasonable fee for establishing, servicing, and billing for water and waste-water service and provided, further, that the terms of the charges are disclosed to the tenants prior to any contractual agreement.

(c) All new multiunit residential buildings permitted on or after July 1, 2012, shall be constructed in a manner which will permit the measurement by a county, municipal, or other public water system or by the owner or operator of water use by each unit. This subsection shall not apply to any building constructed or permitted prior to July 1, 2012, which is thereafter: (1) renovated; or (2) following a casualty or condemnation, renovated or rebuilt.

(d) All new multiunit retail and light industrial buildings permitted or with a pending permit application on or after July 1, 2012, shall be constructed in a manner which will permit the measurement by the owner or operator of water use by each unit. This subsection shall not apply to any building constructed or permitted prior to July 1, 2012, which is thereafter: (1) renovated; or (2) following a casualty or condemnation, renovated or rebuilt. This subsection is not intended to apply to newly constructed multiunit office buildings or office components of mixed use developments. Multiunit office buildings and the office component of mixed use developments may seek reimbursement from office tenants for water and waste-water use through an economic allocation which approximates the water use of each tenant based on square footage. The retail component of a mixed use development shall be constructed in a manner which will permit the measurement by the owner or operator of water use by each retail unit.

(e)(1) A county, municipal, or other public water system, if applicable, or the owner or operator of a building which is subject to subsection (c) or (d) of this Code section shall seek reimbursement for water and waste-water usage by the units through an economic allocation methodology which is based on the measured quantity of water used by each unit.

(2) The owner or operator of such a building which includes common areas for the benefit of the units may also seek reimbursement for common area water and waste-water use through an economic allocation which approximates the portion of the common area water and waste-water services allocable to each unit.

(3) The total amount of charges to the units under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection shall not exceed the total charges paid by the owner or operator for water and waste-water service for the building, plus a reasonable fee for establishing, servicing, and billing water and waste-water consumption.

(4) The director shall be empowered to issue a temporary waiver of this subsection upon a showing by an owner or operator of a building subject to this subsection that compliance with this subsection has temporarily become impracticable due to circumstances beyond the control of the owner or operator. Such waiver shall be limited in duration to the period during which such circumstances remain in effect and beyond the control of the owner or operator to change.

(5) The owner or operator who seeks reimbursement for water and waste-water usage as required by this chapter shall be relieved of liability for actions or inactions that occur as a result of billing or meter-reading errors by an unaffiliated third-party billing or meter-reading company.

(f) A county, municipal, or other public water system shall be prohibited from charging any fee or levy for the installation or use of privately owned meters or other devices which measure or assist in the measurement of water use under subsection (c) of this Code section; provided, however, a county, municipal or other public water system shall be permitted to charge a fee or levy for the installation or use of publicly owned meters or other devices which measure or assist in the measurement of water use.

(g) Subsections (c), (d), and (e) of this Code section shall not apply to any construction of a building the permit for which was granted prior to July 1, 2012."

Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to buildings in general, is amended by revising Code Section 8-2-3, relating to requirements for toilets, shower heads, and faucets, as follows:

(a) On or before July 1, 2012, the department, with the approval of the board, shall amend applicable state minimum standard codes to require the installation of high-efficiency plumbing fixtures in all new construction permitted on or after July 1, 2012.

(b) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) 'Commercial' means any type of building other than residential.

(2) 'Construction' means the erection of a new building or the alteration of an existing building in connection with its repair or renovation or in connection with making an addition to an existing building and shall include the replacement of a malfunctioning, unserviceable, or obsolete faucet, showerhead, toilet, or urinal in an existing building.

(2) 'Department' means the Department of Community Affairs.

(3) 'Residential' means any building or unit of a building intended for occupancy as a dwelling but shall not include a hotel or motel. 'Lavatory faucet' means a faucet that discharges into a lavatory basin in a domestic or commercial installation.

(4) 'Plumbing fixture' means a device that receives water, waste, or both and discharges the water, waste, or both into a drainage system. The term includes a kitchen sink, utility sink, lavatory, bidet, bathtub, shower, urinal, toilet, water closet, or drinking water fountain.

(5) 'Plumbing fixture fitting' means a device that controls and directs the flow of water. The term includes a sink faucet, lavatory faucet, showerhead, or bath filler.

(6) 'Pressurized flushing device' means a device that contains a valve that:

(A) Is attached to a pressurized water supply pipe that is of sufficient size to deliver water at the necessary rate of flow to ensure flushing when the valve is open; and

(B) Opens on actuation to allow water to flow into the fixture at a rate and in a quantity necessary for the operation of the fixture and gradually closes to avoid water hammer.

(7) 'Toilet' means a water closet.

(8) 'Water closet' means a fixture with a water-containing receptor that receives liquid and solid body waste and on actuation conveys the waste through an exposed integral trap into a drainage system and which is also referred to as a toilet.

(9) 'WaterSense™' means a voluntary program of the United States Environmental Protection Agency designed to identify and promote water efficient products and practices.

(b) After April 1, 1992, there shall not be initiated within this state the construction of any residential building of any type which:

(1) Employs a gravity tank-type, flushometer-valve, or flushometer-tank toilet that uses more than an average of 1.6 gallons of water per flush; provided, however, this paragraph shall not be applicable to one-piece toilets until July 1, 1992; A water closet or toilet that:

(A) Is a dual flush water closet that meets the following standards:

(i) The average flush volume of two reduced flushes and one full flush may not exceed 1.28 gallons;

(ii) The toilet meets the performance, testing, and labeling requirements prescribed by the following standards, as applicable:

(I) American Society of Mechanical Engineers Standard A112.19.2-2008; and

(II) American Society of Mechanical Engineers Standard A112.19.14-2006 'Six-Liter Water Closets Equipped with a Dual Flushing Device'; and

(iii) Is listed to the WaterSense™ Tank-Type High Efficiency Toilet Specification; or

(B) Is a single flush water closet, including gravity, pressure assisted, and electro-hydraulic tank types, that meets the following standards:

(i) The average flush volume may not exceed 1.28 gallons;

(ii) The toilet must meet the performance, testing, and labeling requirements prescribed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Standard A112.192/CSA B45.1 or A112.19.14; and

(iii) The toilet must be listed to the WaterSense™ Tank-Type High Efficiency Toilet Specification;

(2) Employs a A shower head that allows a flow of no more than an average of 2.5 gallons of water per minute at 60 pounds per square inch of pressure;

(3) Employs a A urinal that uses more than an average of 1.0 gallon of water per flush; and associated flush valve that:

(A) Uses no more than 0.5 gallons of water per flush;

(B) Meets the performance, testing, and labeling requirements prescribed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Standard A112.19.2/CSA B45.1;

(D) Where nonwater urinals are employed, complies with American Society of Mechanical Engineers Standard A112.19.3/CSA B45.4 or American Society of Mechanical Engineers Standard A112.19.19/CSA B45.4. Nonwater urinals shall be cleaned and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions after installation. Where nonwater urinals are installed they shall have a water distribution line roughed-in to the urinal location at a minimum height of 56 inches (1,422 mm) to allow for the installation of an approved backflow prevention device in the event of a retrofit. Such water distribution lines shall be installed with shut-off valves located as close as possible to the distributing main to prevent the creation of dead ends. Where nonwater urinals are installed, a minimum of one water supplied fixture rated at a minimum of one water supply fixture unit shall be installed upstream on the same drain line to facilitate drain line flow and rinsing;

(4) Employs a A lavatory faucet or lavatory replacement aerator that allows a flow of no more than 2.0 1.5 gallons of water per minute at a pressure of 60 pounds per square inch in accordance with American Society of Mechanical Engineers Standard A112.18.1/CSA B.125.1 and listed to the WaterSense™ High-Efficiency Lavatory Faucet Specification; or and

(5) Employs a A kitchen faucet or kitchen replacement aerator that allows a flow of no more than 2.5 2.0 gallons of water per minute.

(c) On and after July 1, 1992, there shall not be initiated within this state the construction of any commercial building of any type which does not meet the requirements of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (b) of this Code section.

(d) The requirements of subsection (b) of this Code section shall apply to any residential construction initiated after April 1, 1992, and to any commercial construction initiated after July 1, 1992, which involves the repair or renovation of or addition to any existing building when such repair or renovation of or addition to such existing building includes the replacement of toilets or showers or both. To the extent that the standards set forth in this Code section exceed the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, as amended, and 10 C.F.R. 430.32, the department is directed to petition the Department of Energy for a waiver of federal preemption pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 6297(d).

(e) The department is directed to amend the applicable state minimum codes so as to permit counties Counties and municipalities are authorized and directed to provide by ordinance for an exemption to the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) subsection (c) of this Code section, relative to new construction and to the repair or renovation of an existing building, under the following conditions:

(1) When the repair or renovation of the existing building does not include the replacement of the plumbing or sewage system servicing toilets, faucets, or shower heads within such existing building;

(2) When such plumbing or sewage system within such existing building, because of its capacity, design, or installation, would not function properly if the toilets, faucets, or shower heads required by this part were installed;

(3) When such system is a well or gravity flow from a spring and is owned privately by an individual for use in such individual's personal residence; or

(4) When units to be installed are:

(A) Specifically designed for use by persons with disabilities;

(B) Specifically designed to withstand unusual abuse or installation in a penal institution; or

(f) The ordinances adopted by counties and municipalities pursuant to subsection (e) of this Code section shall provide procedures and requirements to apply for the exemption authorized by said subsection.

(g) This Code section shall not apply to any construction of a residential building the contract for which was entered into prior to April 1, 1992, and shall not apply to any construction of a commercial building the contract for which was entered into prior to July 1, 1992.

(h) Any person who installs any toilet, faucet, urinal, or shower head in violation of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(i)(h) Before April 1, 1992 July 1, 2012, a city, county, or authority shall adopt and enforce the provisions of this Code section in order to be eligible to receive any of the following grants, loans, or permits:

(1) A water or waste-water facilities grant administered by the Department of Natural Resources or the Department of Community Affairs; or

(2) A water or waste-water facilities loan administered by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority.

(j)(i) For purposes of this part, after April 1, 1992, After July 1, 2012, the sale of a gravity tank-type, flushometer-valve, or flushometer-tank toilet that uses more than an average of 1.6 1.28 gallons of water per flush shall be is prohibited in this state.

(k)(j) The provisions of this Code section shall not be construed to prohibit counties or municipalities from adopting and enforcing local ordinances which provide requirements which are more stringent than the requirements of this Code section."

Said article is further amended in Code Section 8-2-23, relating to amendment and revision of state minimum code standards, by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"(c)(1) On or before July 1, 2012, the department, with the approval of the board, shall amend applicable state minimum standard codes to require the installation of high-efficiency cooling towers in new construction permitted on or after July 1, 2012.

(2) As used in this subsection, the term 'cooling tower' means a building heat removal device used to transfer process waste heat to the atmosphere.

(3) The standards related to high-efficiency cooling towers shall include without limitation the minimum standards prescribed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers Standard 90.1 as adopted and amended by the department."

There is created the Joint Committee on Water Supply to be composed of ten members as follows: five members of the House of Representatives shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House with one being the chairperson of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee and five members of the Senate shall be appointed by the President of the Senate with one being the chairperson of the Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee. The House and Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee chairpersons shall serve as co-chairpersons. The committee shall meet on the call of either co-chairperson. The committee shall undertake a study and analysis of the current status of the state's reservoir system and shall conduct a comprehensive analysis of the state's strategic needs for additional water supply, including without limitation the identification of creative financing options for water reservoirs and other opportunities for water supply enhancement. The committee may conduct its meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish its objectives and purposes. The members of the committee shall receive the allowances authorized for legislative members of interim legislative committees but shall receive the same for not more than five days unless additional days are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this section shall come from the funds appropriated to the House of Representatives and Senate. The committee is directed to make a report of its findings and recommendations not later than December 31, 2010. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2010.